Sophia Woman Charged With Felony Animal Cruelty Under Susie's Law

Randleman, NC -- A woman faces a felony and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after horses were found on her. property in poor condition.

Randolph County Animal Shelter officials said they were alerted by a neighbor to the poor condition of a horse on Beckerdite Road.

Investigators said they found several underweight horses with overgrown and neglected hooves. They said one of the horses could not walk comfortably because his hooves had grown so long they were twisted and curling up.

Three horses were seized in all and are being cared for by rescue groups.

The owner of the horses, Martha Montgomery, was arrested and charged with felony cruelty to animals and two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

"When you confine an animal, you take responsibility for its well being and providing for its care," said MiMi Cooper, Randolph County Health Director. "Not only is it the right thing to do, it's the law."

Susie's Law took effect December 1. The law, named after a Greensboro dog that was burned, allows judges to sentence jail time and higher fines for first time animal abusers.